Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1887-08-04
JAKE sHARP's CAREER.
Early Struggles and Home Life OF the
Now York Street-Car Magnate.


Now York Street-Car Magnate.
1t is singular that, as much as Jake
Sharp's name has been before the pub
lie, nothing is ever said about his home
life or his early struggles, and yet both
are unusually full of interest. Jacob
Sharp began life in the northern part
of New York as a poor boy, who had
to work so hard for his daily bread
that there was little time left for study,
and whatever spare time he did have
was given up to experiments which he
hoped would result in the invention of
something that would be the founda-
ton of fortune, for he was ambitious,
and he worked with quiet, logged
persistence that was bound to succeed.
People were divided in their opinions
of him, some thinking him fool, 9TH
ers believing him genius. When he
was nineteen he married his present
wife, who was then about fourteen,
and they went to live in little log
cabin which he had built with his
own hands. He made all the furni-
ture, and some of it was beautifully
carved by the aid of a jack-knife.
Their home was on the edge of the
forest which he cleared little by little,
working for farmers at about eight
dollars per month, and having but lit
tie time to work at home. Still he
managed to cultivate enough to give
them living in addition to his wages.
Here their first child was born. ,
During the first five years of their
married life no two ever worked hard
er than they, and it was not long be-
fore their industry and frugality be-
gan to tell. About this time Mr.. Sharp
patented his horseshoe which was the
foundation of his future success, and
this was followed by other inventions
in rapid succession. In 1849 they left
Rome, and came to New York and
prospered. ~ az
Their first child was born in log
cabin, their last in house worth $50,
000 Mr.. Sharp became interested in
the horse-cars, and since 1852 has been
trying to get franchise on Broadway
At this time his wife kept and made a
home for him, the like of which few
men can boast. Their home in Twen-
ty-third street is large, rather old
fashioned building, with small grass
plot in front. and large yard in tht
rear The house is furnished hand
somely, and even luxuriously, but with
more regard for comfort than display
Mrs. Sharp, like her husband, worked
hard in her youth, and brought up he
children herself, but her innate refine
ment and true, gentle womanlines
have long since overcome her earl.
lack of education. Some years ago sh'
began to paint, feeling that she had a
least love for art, and though she haC
many periods of Encouragement, ha
succeeded so well that her house i
filled with handsome paintings, many
of them better than the average show
at the Academy. She paints from
nature, generally, and artists say tina
her pictures are worthy of high praise
The whole atmosphere of her homei
one of peace, and comfort, and domes
tic harmony, and she is one Of th
sweetest, best and kindest of women
Her charities are unbounded, though
done in silence. She dresses simpl
and plainly, except on rare occasions
and keeps an almost open house 70
every body. All her children are liy
ing except her first-born son, who die,
a couple of years ago, and She has sey
eral grandchildren. all of them havin
talent and one, Miss Dell Rogers,
bound for success in literature. Thei
home life is model for every body t
follow. and it seems hard that theirol
age should be overshadowed, and esp
cially that she should suffer, -Olsv
Harper, IN Indianapolis Journal.